A Trio of Community Leaders Endorse Andrew Gounardes for New York State Senate

July 31, 2018 -- BROOKLYN, NY: Today, NYC Council Member Alan Maisel, former Council Member, 41st AD District Leader, and longtime community activist Lew Fidler, and 41st AD State Committeewoman Lori Maslow officially endorsed Democrat Andrew Gounardes for the NY Senate in District 22, calling him the strongest candidate to defeat Marty Golden and flip the Senate back to Democratic control.

Statement from Alan Maisel

“By now, I have a pretty good idea of who is the real deal, and who’s a pretender,” Maisel said. “And there is nothing pretend about Andrew Gounardes. He is the state senator Southern Brooklyn deserves and needs. Andrew will bring a fresh, anti-establishment voice to Albany. I believe he will make a huge difference in the Senate — and that starts with flipping the chamber back to Democratic control.”

Statement from Lew Fidler

“I wish Andrew Gounardes could start a term in the Senate tomorrow,” Fidler said. “He would be such a huge upgrade for the district. Community initiatives that aren’t moving forward, tax breaks and kickbacks going to the rich, unsafe streets and underfunded education — Andrew would immediately change all that. We’re tired of Marty Golden. All this time he’s been in office, and what do we have to show for it?”

Statement from Lori Maslow

“Actions speak louder than words,” Maslow said. “I have seen Andrew Gounardes garner grassroots support by pounding the pavement. Andrew has made it his number one priority to be an inclusive candidate for Senator, by seeking out and knocking on doors to listen to the concerns of all the residents in his Senatorial District. Andrew would never have left Albany leaving speed cameras by schools to go dark. Andrew's concerns are my concerns, all of our concerns -- strong schools, safe streets, safe crossings, funded day care and senior centers, teen programs, job opportunities, and increasing the number of speed cameras by schools.

I urge you to vote for Andrew Gounardes on Primary Day, September 13th, and then again on Election Day. Remember, your fight is Andrew's fight!”

Statement from Andrew Gounardes:

“Today’s announcement of three endorsements by three respected community leaders demonstrates the strong momentum of our campaign,” said Gounardes. “I couldn’t be more grateful to Alan Maisel, Lew Fidler, and Lori Maslow, whose examples inspire me to work harder every day for my community. Alan, Lew, and Lori have made a positive impact on others. I want to make the same kind of difference for my fellow Brooklynites and Americans. I intend to do everything I can to honor their votes of confidence.”

About Andrew Gounardes

Born and raised in Bay Ridge, it was in Southern Brooklyn where Andrew Gounardes started his work in public service. As an aide to former City Councilmember Vincent Gentile, he helped neighbors solve everyday quality of life problems. Currently, he serves as Counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and as a trustee of the New York City Employees' Retirement System, one of the largest municipal pension funds in the country. Before serving at Borough Hall, he worked for Citizens Committee for New York City, a non-profit that provides neighborhood improvement grants to community groups across the five boroughs. He also served on Community Board 10 and is a longtime member of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge.

After Superstorm Sandy, Andrew co-founded Bay Ridge Cares, an organization that prepared 25,000 hot meals for victims after the storm. Today, the organization still supports community members facing extraordinary need by providing them with emergency assistance. As a member of the Riders Alliance, he organized and formed the Concerned R Train Riders to fight for better service and demand handicapped accessible subway stations in South Brooklyn. He helped write and pass legislation to combat dangerous home conversions, and continues to work toward helping those who are displaced from unsafe living conditions.

His work with Bay Ridge Advocates for Keeping Everyone Safe (B.R.A.K.E.S.) successfully pressured Albany lawmakers to allow speed cameras in school zones. As an advocate for art and culture in our neighborhoods, he served as pro bono legal counsel for the Bay Ridge Storefront Art Walk (S.A.W.) and as past president of the Bay Ridge Historical Society.

Andrew graduated from Fort Hamilton High School before going on to earn degrees from Hunter College and the George Washington University Law School.

Andrew’s Endorsements

Andrew has been endorsed by NYSUT, the local chapter of United Automobile Workers, the District 1 chapter of Communications Workers of America, SEIU 32BJ, DC9 The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, the Working Families Party, Bay Ridge Democrats, the Brooklyn Young Democrats, the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, the Southern Brooklyn Democrats, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, Stonewall Democrats of NYC, the Stars & Stripes Democratic Club, City Council Members Justin Brannan, Mark Treyger, Alan Maisel, and Lew Fidler, 41st AD State Committeewoman Lori Maslow, Assembly Member Peter Abbate, Former Council Member Vincent Gentile, Chairperson of the Kings County Democrats Frank Seddio, and Run for Something. He has also been named a Gun Sense Candidate of Distinction by Moms Demand Action.

About District 22

District 22 comprises the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, and Gravesend, as well as portions of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park, and Midwood.